Below Average
#8725 of 9,533 schools in CA
Buena Vista Middle
Middle School · Spreckels Union Elementary
18250 Tara Dr., Salinas, CA 93908
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
333
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Salinas
#52 of 60
public schools
California middle schools
#1,270 of 1,349
In district
#2 of 2
Spreckels Union Elementary
About Buena Vista Middle
Buena Vista Middle is a regular public middle school located in the rural area near Salinas, California. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, Buena Vista Middle has an enrollment of 333 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it at the 40th percentile among all California schools ranked by MySchoolScout.
Academically, Buena Vista Middle has room for improvement, as indicated by its academic score of 6.5 out of 10 and state ranking of #5764 in California. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, the school reports that 57% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 37% meet proficiency standards. Despite these challenges, Buena Vista Middle continues to focus on student development and growth within its rural community setting.
The school is part of Monterey County and serves a neighborhood where close-knit ties among families can support students' educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Buena Vista Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Buena Vista Middle — Students at Buena Vista Middle score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.9/10.
How Buena Vista Middle Compares
See how Buena Vista Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 31.88% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 70% (2019) to 51.88% (2024).
Location
18250 Tara Dr., Salinas, CA 93908
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buena Vista Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Washington Middle (rated 7.0/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is El Sausal Middle (rated 7.0/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, San Benancio Middle (rated 6.5/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salinas, see our Salinas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spreckels Elementary Spreckels | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Monterey County Special Education Salinas | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Monterey County Home Charter Salinas | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Monterey Park Elementary Salinas | 3.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Toro Park Elementary Salinas | 3.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Lincoln Elementary Salinas | 4.1 mi | 7.4 |
| PALMA SCHOOL Salinas | 4.2 mi | 5.7 |
| NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL Salinas | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Salinas High Salinas | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Palma High School Salinas | 4.2 mi | — |
| Mission Park Elementary Salinas | 4.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Washington Middle Salinas | 4.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Sherwood Elementary Salinas | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Los Padres Elementary Salinas | 4.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Roosevelt Elementary Salinas | 4.9 mi | 5.5 |
| University Park Elementary Salinas | 4.8 mi | 7.4 |
| El Sausal Middle Salinas | 4.9 mi | 7.0 |
| SACRED HEART SCHOOL Salinas | 5.1 mi | 5.4 |
| San Benancio Middle Salinas | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Fremont Elementary Salinas | 5.1 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 93908 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$164,554
Median Home Value
$1,071,000
Median Rent
$1,650/mo
Population
12,517
College Educated
56.3%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Median Age
42.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buena Vista Middle has a median household income of $164,554. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,071,000, with a median rent of $1,650/month. The local poverty rate of 4.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Betty Reid Soskin Middle El Sobrante, CA | 4.2 |
| Fulton and Alsbury Academy of Arts and Engineering Lancaster, CA | 4.2 |
| Renaissance at Mathson San Jose, CA | 4.2 |
| Beardsley Junior High Bakersfield, CA | 4.3 |
| Discovery Charter Tracy, CA | 4.3 |
| Downtown College Preparatory Middle San Jose, CA | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buena Vista Middle
What grades does Buena Vista Middle serve?
Buena Vista Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Buena Vista Middle?
Buena Vista Middle has an enrollment of approximately 333 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Buena Vista Middle is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buena Vista Middle rank in CA?
Buena Vista Middle is ranked #8725 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Buena Vista Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Buena Vista Middle has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Buena Vista Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buena Vista Middle has 36.8% math proficiency and 56.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buena Vista Middle a charter school?
No, Buena Vista Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buena Vista Middle a Title I school?
No, Buena Vista Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buena Vista Middle?
16.2% of students at Buena Vista Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,228/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Salinas). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 333
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Monterey County
- Phone
- (831) 455-8936
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Spreckels Union Elementary- District Enrollment
- 888
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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